count2infinity wrote:If I may, I've been able to drink (legally) for just over 5 years and I think I've tasted some of the best that is out there, and feel very lucky that there are so many choices and GOOD choices.

stopper40 wrote:I've been told that before prohibition there were ~4,000 breweries in this country. In the early 80's that number was down to about 80 now there's close to 3,000. And that Anchor was where the microbrew revolution started.

A book I can recommend on the topic is Beer Blast by Philip Van Munching (http://www.amazon.com/Beer-Blast-Brewin ... 0812930355). His family for years held the contract to import Heineken into the United States. Written back in 1997, the book covers the history of brewing and beer marketing (remember Spuds MacKenzie?) in the United States from an insider’s perspective. It’s out of print, but Amazon has plenty of used copies for less than a buck plus shipping. In addition to being somewhat educational, the book’s also pretty funny.

I LOVE hoppy beer, but appreciate non-hoppy beer as well. Stouts, darks, pilsners, summery light beers. But I do think that I've become so used to hops, that I don't even think about them being there when drinking an IPA. I remember back to my first IPA I ever had, I drank it and likely had a face like many of the new comers to craft brews.

I totally agree with that article about hops. I appreciate good hops that are part of a balanced beer, but I don't enjoy those beers that seemingly just try to up their IBUs as much as possible just for the sake of it, or as some weird badge of honor (Stone is the brewer that always springs to mind here). More hops doesn't automatically equal better taste.

Comment from a friend in Portland wrote:Man, this is so on point and a jag I've been harping on since I've been here. I couldn't believe how gratifying it was a few weeks ago when I found some green bottles at a convenience store and I could just open up a refreshing, crisp bottle of Rolling Rock after doing some yard work. What the hell do people around here drink, after a hot afternoon mowing the lawn?

Comment from a friend in Portland wrote:Man, this is so on point and a jag I've been harping on since I've been here. I couldn't believe how gratifying it was a few weeks ago when I found some green bottles at a convenience store and I could just open up a refreshing, crisp bottle of Rolling Rock after doing some yard work. What the hell do people around here drink, after a hot afternoon mowing the lawn?

First introduction to microbrew beer was through a Beer of the Month membership. 2 six-packs a month of small brewery beer from around the country. This was in the early 90's. There were a couple that I had repurchased after tasting, with Rhino Chasers being my favorite. http://www.bruguru.com/rhinochasers.htm Pete's Wicked Ale was another as was Bert Grant's Scottish Ale. The membership opened up my world to what good beer should taste like.

For a microbrewery, Bandersnatch (closed) in Tempe, AZ. next to Sun Devil Stadium would be my first recollection as the place that married food, great quality craft beer, excellent people watching opportunities and free internet all together under one roof. Spent many a day / night there.

But around my senior year in college we would just buy different brewery variety packs to try as many different beers as possible. That's when i became familiar with places like Troegs, Lancaster, Bells, Harpoon and the bigger craft brewers.

count2infinity wrote:The other thing about craft beers is the alcohol content. Why so high? I want something that has good taste and I can drink a few of them without being plastered.

I heartily concur with this. I’d very much like to see the “imperial” craze throw a 180 and turn in the direction of breweries making delicious, flavorful session beers in the range of, say, 4% to no more than 6% ABV. One of the reasons that I’m as fond of Anchor Brewing as I am is that they generally (with the notable exception of Foghorn) keep their beers in a reasonable range of alcohol content. For example, Steam is 4.9%, Liberty is 5.9%, and Summer is 4.5%. They even offer Small Beer (which I must admit I’ve never seen or had) at 3.3%.

On that note, if anyone has seen Anchor Small Beer for sale in Western Pennsylvania, please let me know.

But around my senior year in college we would just buy different brewery variety packs to try as many different beers as possible. That's when i became familiar with places like Troegs, Lancaster, Bells, Harpoon and the bigger craft brewers.

Ahh, good ol' Pete's. Pete's Wicked Brew was decent.

I started with a lot of Long Trail, Catamount (out of commission), and Otter Creek. Magic Hat was just getting started. Also had different types of Harpoon.

Who knew. I've been trying all kinds of different beers lately and drinking from the bottle. That glass looks cool, if nothing else. Bringing a glass to our next bonfire just so my friends can hate me even more. Can't wait.